Effect of seed treatment on germination and emergence of 3 warm-season grasses

Abstract

Seed dormancy can hinder stand establishment and delay progress of genetic and plant improvement studies. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of 2 chemical seed treatments on germination and on emergence and survival of 3 warm-season grasses. Freshly harvested seed of kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) weeping lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees] and wilman lovegrass (Eragrostis superba Peyr.) were treated with concentrated H2SO4 or a 2-chloroethanol sodium hypochlorite (CHL) solution and then germinated on blotters or planted in a commercial peat-vermiculite mix. The 3 grasses responded differently to acid and CHL treatment. Acid treatment increased germination of all 3 species but did not increase the emergence and/or 2 week establishment of weeping or wilman lovegrass. The difference between germination and emergence appeared related to chemical injury from the acid treatment that adversely impacted seedling growth and development. Weeping lovegrass responded to CHL treatment with increased germination and emergence. Wilman lovegrass did not respond well to either chemical.